da pixbet： Tottenham Hotspur are ready to spend a “sizeable fee” to sign a left-sided centre-back during the January transfer window, per Sky Sports reporter Paul Gilmour.
What’s the word?
da betsul： The report, detailing Spurs’ plans at the turn of the year, claims that the club will only buy such a defender if one of their centre-backs departs first.
Jan Vertonghen, after all, has a contract that expires in the summer.
There is said to be interest in West Ham United’s Issa Diop and AFC Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake as they make plans to potentially replace the Belgium international.
Gilmour also claims that Spurs are “looking for a new right-back” and scouted Elseid Hysaj, of Napoli, and Marseille’s Hiroki Sakai in the summer.
They are said to have a budget of more than £20m for the position.
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Sensible planning
This makes complete sense.
Spurs are preparing for the worst-case scenario of Vertonghen leaving.
Manager Jose Mourinho hinted earlier this season that the defender’s agent is holding up negotiations over a new deal and, thus, exploring other possibilities is a wise option.
Both Ake and Diop have Premier League experience – they have 181 appearances between them in the top-flight – and could slot straight into the Portuguese’s backline were they recruited.
As for the right-back role, one has to believe that they probably shouldn’t have sold Kieran Trippier to Atletico Madrid but, now that they have, they do need depth.
Only Kyle Walker-Peters is capable of deputising for Serge Aurier and he has played just once under the ex-Chelsea boss.
Meanwhile, Spurs fans have criticised one man for his display against Norwich.